Control system for case loading machine



Jan. 16, 1962 l.. vADAs CONTROL SYSTEM FOR CASE LOADING MACHINE Filed April 28, 1960 INVENTOR LESLIE VADAS ATTORNEY Jan. 16, 1962 L VADAS CONTROL SYSTEM FOR OASE LOADING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 28, 1960 INYENTOR LESLl/E VADAS ATTORNEY Jan. 16, 1962 1 vADAs CONTROL SYSTEM FOR CASE LOADING MACHINE Filed April 28, 1960 INVENTOR LESLIE VADAS Bv ,e9/W.'

ATTORNIEY Jan. 16, 1962 vADAs CONTROL SYSTEM FOR OASE LOADING MACHINE Filed April 28. 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR LESLIE VADAS By 74%, /Qfff/WA'ZJ ATTORNEY 3,016,664 CONTROL SYSTEM FOR CASE LOADlNG MACHINE Leslie Varias, Los Gatos, Calif., assigner to FMC Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 23, 196i), Ser. No. 25,283 10 Claims. (Cl. 53-62) The present invention appertains to case loading machines and more particularly relates to a pneumatic system for controlling the operations of a case loading machine.

Heretofore, control systems for the type of case loading machine disclosed herein have primarily been composite systems made up of electric circuits which were used to control hydraulic or pneumatic systems which, in turn, controlled the actuation of the different mechanical parts of the case loading machine. It can easily be seen that combine-:l systems of this type are expensive Vnot only because of their complexity and their use of several types of external power, but also because of the relatively large amount of maintenance required in these composite control systems.

It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide a low cost dependable pneumatic control system for a case loading machine.

Another-object is to provide a simple control system for a case loading machine arranged to control the parts which cooperate to accumulate a case load of articles independently of the parts which cooperate to support the case which is to be loaded.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following de,- scription and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a perspective of the case loading machine with which the pneumatic control system of the present invention is associated.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective of a portion of the machine of FIG. l showing the different parts of the machine and the control system in a starting or normal position.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective similar to FIG. 2 but showing the position of the ditferent parts after a case is supported in the loading position and shortly after receiving a rst row of articles on the accumulator plate.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 but showing the position of the different parts immediately before a case load of articles has been pushed completely into the case.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan of a portion of the casing machine and control system showing the position of different valves in the system.

A case loading machine using the control system of the present invention is indicated by reference numeral (FIGS. l and 2) and comp-rises a continuously driven feed conveyor 11 which receives articles, hereinafter referred to as cans C, from any suitable supply source and advances them in the direction indicated by arrow A to an accumulating plate 12 which extends transversely thereof. An air cylinder 13, having a pusher plate 14 (FIG. 2) connected to its actuating rod 13a, is automatically controlled by the pneumatic control system 16 of the present invention to push each row of two cans one can diameter toward the discharge end 17 of the accumulating plate 12. The intermittent pushing of rows of cans toward the discharge end 17 of the accumulating plate 12 is automatically controlled by the control system to form a case load of cans on the plate 12.

The control system 16 also controls the actuation of a case supporting arm 19 which is secured to a shaft Ztl'that is pivotally mounted on the frame of the case loading 'machine 10; The arm 19 israised from the position fted States Patent 0 r"ice shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 3 in response to the manual placing of an empty case in the loading position illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 3. The case supporting arm 19 is raised by 4an air cylinder 21 which is controlled, independently of the can accumulating operations of the air cylinder 13, by the control system 16. After a case load of cans has been accumulated on the plate 12 and after the case supporting arm 19 has been moved into position to support the case, the control system automatically causes the cylinder 13 to move the pusher plate 14 through a long stroke which moves the case load of cans from the accumulating plate 12 into the case. The control system then causes the air cylinder 21 to pivotally lower the arm 19, and the lled case supported thereon, to the position shown in FIG- URE 2. While in this position, the lled case is supported on a foot 22 of the case supporting arm 19 and remains on the foot 22 until it is removed therefrom either manually or automatically. The case loading machine 10 is then ready for another cycle of operation.

The pneumatic control system 16 which controls the different parts of the case loading machine 10 as above described, will now be described in detail. High pressure air is directed into a main line 25 (FIG. 2) from any suitable source and flows through the usual pressure regulator, condenser and oiler unit 26 which directs clean, moisture free air to a branch line 27. The branch line 27 communicates With a long stroke valve V2 and with a case support valve V1 which controls the actuation of the air cylinder 21 to raise or lower the case supporting arm 19. When the parts of the case loading machine 10 and its pneumatic control system 16 are in a starting or normal position as indicated in FIG. 2, the air ows into the upper end of the cylinder 21 through a passage 23 in the shiftable core 29 of the valve V1 and through a conduit 31 connecting the Valve V1 to the upper end of the cylinder 21. The lower end of the cylinder 21 is vented through a conduit 32, a vent passage 33 in the core 29 of the valve V1 and a vent port 34 in the housing of the valve V1. With the valve V1 in this position, the case supportingrarm 19 is moved to and held in a vertical position.

The high pressure air which ows from the branch line 27 into the long stroke valve V2, flows through a passage 36 in the core 37 of the Valve V2 `and through a conduit 38 to a short stroke valve V3. This air ilows through a passage 39 in the core 41 of the valve V3 and through a conduit 42 to the forward end of the cylinder 13 thereby holding the pusher plate 14 in a retracted position. The rear end of the cylinder 13 is vented through a conduit 43, a conduit 44, a vent passage 46 in the core of the valve V3, a conduit 47, a check valve 48 in the conduit 47 which permits flow of air only in the direction indicated by the arrow on the check valve, a passage 49 in the core of the valve V2, and a vent port 51 in the housing of the valve V2.

The valves V1, V2, V3 and a case positioning valve V4 are of the well known type which have their cores shifted by momentarily unbalancing the air pressure acting on the opposite end surfaces of the core. Small orifices 52 in each valve core establish communication between one of the high pressure passages in cach core and the space between the ends of the cores and their adjacent housing walls. In order to shift each valve core from one side of its housing to the other, the space adjacent said other side of the core is momentarily vented thereby creating a pressure unbalance in the valve causing the valve core to shift to the vented side.

In order to shift the core 29 in the: valve V1 from the position shown in FIG'. 2 to the position shown in FlG. 3, an empty case is .manually placed in loading position surroundingthe discharge end of the accumulator plate 12. In doing this, the lower end ap F (FIG. l) of the case contacts and pivotally actuates a bleeder actuating arm 55 (FIG. 2) which is pivotally connected to a pin 56 (FIG. 3) which pivotally connects a projection 54 of the case supporting arm 19 to the actuating rod 57 of the cylinder 21. A torsion spring (not shown) normally holds the actuating arm 55 in the upright position shown in FIG. 2. A rod 58 is welded to and extends laterally from the arm S and has an arcuate camming plate 59 (FIG. 2) connected to the distal end thereof. The camming plate 59 is disposed in position to engage the actuating element of a bleeder valve B1 when the lower flap F of the case contacts and pivots the arm 55 thereby opening the bleeder valve B1. The bleeder valve B1 is connected to one end of the case support valve V1 byV a conduit 61 and, when valve B1 is actuated, that end of the Valve is vented causing the core of valve V1 to shift to the position shown in FIG. 3. This causes high pressure air to be directed from the branch line 27, through a passage 62 in the core 29 of the valve V1, through the conduit 32 and into thev lower end of the cylinder 21. The upper end of the cylinderv 21 is vented through the conduit 31 through a passage 63 in the core 29 of the valve V1, and a vent port 64. Thus, in respouse to the actuation of the bleeder actuating arm 55 by the lower ap F of'a case, the case supporting arm 19 moves from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 3.

When the case supporting arm 19' is in the lowered position shown in FIG. 2,` a bleeder B2 is opened by a portion 6617 of an arm 6,6`which is secured to shaft 20 and also has a portion 66a, the portions 66a and 66b projecting from opposite sides of the shaft 20. "The bleeder B2 is connected: to the lower end of the case positioning valve V4 by a conduit 67 thus assuring that the core 68 of the valve V4 will be positioned as shown in FIG. 2 when the arm 19 is in the lowered position. When the arm 19, and hence the arm 66, is pivoted from the position shown in FIG. 2, the bleeder B2 is closed and, thereafter, a bleeder B3 is opened by the arm portion 66a when the case supporting arm 19 comesto rest in the horizontal position of FIG. 3. The core 68 of the valve V4 has passages 69 and 71 therein which are ineffective when the core 68 is in its lower position shown in FIG. 2. A plug 72 isused to close a port 73 in the housing of the valve V4. When the core 68 is sh-ifted upwardly, the passage 69 establishes flow communication between a conduit 74 and a conduit 76. The conduit 74 is connected to the conduit 47 and has a check valve 77 therein which permits flow of air only in the direction indicated by the arrow on the check valve 77. The conduit 76 is connected to theconduit 43 leading to the rear end of the cylinder 13. The purpose of interconnecting the conduits 74 and 76 will beV described later.

ln order to control the actuation of the air cylinder 13 in response to the position and number of cans on the accumulator plate 12, bleeder valves B5 and B4 and bleed selector valve BS are mounted along the side of the accumulator plate 12 opposite the feed conveyor 11. The bleeder B5 is opened when a lrow of cans is moved from the conveyor 11 onto the plate 12. The foremost of these cans C1 contacts and pivots a lever 81 which is pivotally mounted at 81a on the frame of the machine and is connected to the bleeder B5 by a link 8.2. The bleeder B4 is disposed in position to be contacted and opened by a roller 14a, which is journalled on a bracket secured to the pusher plate 14, after the pusher plate 14 has moved the row of cans one can diameter toward the discharge end 17 of the plate 12. The bleed selector valve BS includes a core 83 which is normally held in the position shown in FIG. 2 by a spring 84 wound around a valve corestem 86'. The stem 86 is pivotally connected toa lever 87 which is pivotally mounted at 87a on the frame of the machine 10 in position to be contacted and actuated by a can in a row of cans which has been advanced to a position immediately adjacent the discharge end 17 of the accumulator plate 12. When the bleed selector valve BS is actuated, the core 83 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 4.

The bleeder B5 is connected to the bleed selector valve BS by a conduit 88. When the core 83 of the valve BS is positioned as shown in FIG. 3, a passage 89 in the core 83 establishes a flow passage between the conduit 88 and a conduit 91 leading to the upper end of the short stroke valve V3. When the valve BS is actuated as shown in FIG. 4, a passage 92 in the core 83 establishes communication between the conduit 88 and a conduit 93 which is connected to the upper end of the long stroke valve V2. The bleeder B4 is connected to the lower end of the short stroke valve V3 by a conduit 94. Three reset bleeders B8, B6 and B7 (FIG. 2) have their actuating elements connected to a common bar 96 which is engaged and actuated by the roller 14a immediately after a case load of cans has been pushed from the accumulator plate 12 into the case. The bleeder B8 is connected to the conduit 94 by a conduit 98, the bleeder B6 is connected to the lower end of the case support valve V1 by a conduit 99, and the bleeder B7 is connected to the lower end of the long stroke valve V2 by a conduit 100.

As is best shown in FIG. 4, a can stop 101 is mounted on the pusher plate 14 and prevents cans on the conveyor 11 from moving onto the accumulator plate 12 on the rear side of the pusher plate 14 when the plate is sweeping across the accumulator plate 12.

In the operationvof the case loading machine 10, the different parts of the machine and of the pneumatic control system 16 of the present invention are initially positioned as shown in FIG. 2. At this time, high pressure air from the main line 25 is directed through the regulator and oilerunit 26, through the branch line 27, through the passage 36 in the long stroke valve V2 through the conduit 38, through the passage 39 in the short stroke valve V3 and through the conduit 42 to the forward end of the cylinder 13 to Withdraw the actuating rod 13a and pusher plate 14 to the retracted position of FIG. 2. Air is bled from the rear end of the cylinder 13 through the conduits 43, 44, the passage 46 of the valvev V3, the conduit 47, the check valve 4S, and the passage 49 and vent port 51 in the valve V2. High pressure'air is also directed from the branch line 27 through the passage 28 of the case support valve V1, through conduit 31 to the upper end of the cylinder 21 thereby lowering the arm 19. The lower end of the cylinder 21 is vented through the conduit 32, and through the passage 33 and vent port 34 of the valve V1.

The conveyor 11 is continuously driven and therefore continuously moves, or tends to move, cans onto the accumulator plate 12. The foremost can C1 (FIG. 2) contacts and pivotally actuates the lever 81 which opens the bleed valve B5 to start the first short stroke cycle. The opening of the bleed valve B5 bleeds the upper end of the short stroke valve V3 through the conduit 91, through the passage 89 in the bleed selector valve BS, through the conduit 88, and through the open bleeder valve B5. This causes the core 41 of the Valve V3 to shift to the position shown in FIG. 3. High pressure air then flows through the following parts; the branch line 27, the passage 36 of the long stroke valve V2, the conduit 38, a passage 102 in the core 41 of the short stroke valve V3, and the conduits 44 and 43 to the rear end of the cylinder 13. This causes the pusher plate 14, which is connected to the actuating rod 13a of the cylinder 13, to be moved forward as indicated in FIG. 3. The forward end of the cylinder 13 is vented through the conduit 42, a passage 103 in the core 41 of the valve V3, and a vent port 104 in the housing of the valve V3. As the pusher plate moves the cans forward one can diameter, the roller 14a contacts and opens the bleeder B4. The bleeder B4 is connected to the lower end of the valve V3 by the conduit 94 thereby causing the core 41 of the valve V3 to shift to the starting position shown in FIG. 2. This causes the air to again be directed into the forward end of the cylinder 13 through the line 42 thereby retracting the pusher plate 14 to complete the first short stroke cycle and to allow another row of cans to enter the accumulator plate and actuate the lever 81 and lbleed valve B5.

A second short stroke cycle, which is identical to the above described short stroke cycle, is performed with the result that two rows of lcans are supported on the accumulateor plate 12 and are moved toward the discharge end 17 of the plate 12. Upon completion of the second short stroke, the can C1 actuates the lever 87 thereby shifting the core 83 to the position shown in FIG. 4. Y

The next or third row of cans entering the accumulator plate 12 completes the case load accumulated on the plate 12 and opens the bleeder B5 to partially prepare the control system 16 for the long stroke cycle which causes the case load of cans to be pushed into a case. However, the control system 16 is not completely prepared for the long stroke until a case is in position to receive the case load of cans and the arm 19 has been moved to horizontal position as shown in FIG. 4. It should be noted that the control system 16 makes it possible to place the empty case in loading position at -any time before or during the process of accumulating cans on the plate 12. 1 The empty case is manually placed in loading position by an operator in such a way that lower end tiap F contacts and pivots the arm 55 (FIG. 2) thereby causing the arcuate camming plate 59 to open the bleeder B1. This causes the core 29 of valve V1 to shift upwardly 'tothe position shown in FIG. 3. High pressure air then ows from the ,branch line 27 through the passage 62 in the case `supporting valve V1, through the conduit 32 and into the lower portion of the cylinder 21 thereby raising the case supporting arm 19. As the arm 19 is raising, the cam plate59`is pivoted away from the bleeder B1 thereby allowing the bleeder B1 to close. The upper end `of the cylinder 21 is vented through the conduit 31, the

passage 63 in the core 29, and the veut port 64 in the valve V1. As the arm 19 moves into the case supporting position, the arm position 66a contacts and opens the bleeder B3 thereby venting the upper end of the Valve V4 through the conduit 105 causing the core 68 to shift to the position shown in FIG. v4.

Upon shifting the core 68 as above described and upon opening the bleeder B5 by the third row of cans, the long stroke cycle is completely prepared. Air is bled Vfrom the upper end of the long stroke valve V2 through .conduits'76 and 43 and into te rear end of the cylinder 13 thereby causing the pusher plate 14 to push the cans into the case. The forward end of the cylinder is vented through the conduit 42, the passage 39 in the valve V3, the conduit 38, a passage 108 in the core 37 and a vent port 109 in the housing of the valve V2.

Upon completion of the forward stroke of the long stroke cycle, the roller 14a engages the bar 96 to open the bleedersBS, B6, and B7. v The bleeder B8 bleeds the lower end `of the short stroke valve V3 through the conduits 94 and 98 causing the core 41 to return to the starting position of FIG. 2` if not already in this position. Thebleeder `B6 bleeds the lower end of the case support valve V1 through the conduit 99 causing the core-29 to shift downwardly to the starting position of FIG. 2. The.

Amum of maintenance.

bleeder B7 bleeds the lower end of the long stroke valve V2 through the conduit 100 causing the core 37 to shift downwardly to the starting position of FIG. 2. The bleed selector valve BS, and the bleeders B5 and B4 obviously return to their starting positions as soon as the cans are moved away from their actuators. With the above mentioned parts returned to their starting position, high pressure air is directed into the forward end of the cylinder 13 and into the upper end of the cylinder 21, through circuits already described, to return the pusher plate 14 and the case supporting arm 19 to their starting position as shown in FIG. 2. As the arm 19 is returning to its starting position, the arm portion 66b of the arm 66 contacts and opens the bleeder B2 thereby venting the lower end of the case positioning valve V4 through the conduit 67, shifting the core 68 downwardly to its starting position. It will be recognized that the core 68 of the valve V4 must be in the raised position to permit actuation of the long stroke of the actuating rod 13a and that the core 68 is only in this position when the arm 19 is in the raised, case-supporting position or is being lowered with a full case therein. Thus, the valve V4 prevents discharge of a case load when a case is not present to receive the case load charge.

Although the bleeders B2 and B3 are at times held open, it will be understood that the orifice 52 in the valve V1 is relatively small so that the loss of air will not be excessive.

Although the case loading machine 1t) has been shown and described as handling cans, it is to be understood that other articles, such as cartons, can be cased with the machine 10. It is also to be understood that the machine can be adjusted to handle articles of diterent size merely by changing the position of the bleeder B4 to vary the distance the roller 14a must move with lthe pusher before it actuatesbleeder B4 to stop the forward movement of the pusher during each short stroke. Furthermore, the number of rows and the total number of articles being cased can be changed by spacing the bleed selector valve BS the proper distance from the bleeder B5.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that the pneumatic control system of the present invention is simple and sturdy and is constructed so as to require a minilThe system controls the different mechanical parts of the casing machine in such a way that a case load of articles can be accumulated independently of the position of the case supporting arm.

'This makes it possible to place an empty case in loading position at any time before or during the time the case load of articles is being accumulated.

While one embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and for which Letters Patent is desired is:

p l. In -a case loading machine of the type having an article accumulating plate, ya conveyor for delivering articles in single le onto said plate and a pusher movable across the plate from a retracted position -to a projected position to engage articles thereon `and push them across the plate, a control system comprising a double acting power cylinder connected to said pusher; means supplying air under pressure; conduit means connecting said air supply means to both ends of said power cylinder; a control valve connected in said conduit means, said valve having -a housing, a pair of spaced passages, and a valve element movable in said housing in response to the venting of said passages between a first position communicating one end of said power cylinder with said air supply means and venting the other end of said power cylinder to cause Said pusher to be moved across said plate from said retracted to said projected position and a second position venting said one end and communicating said air supply means with said other end to effect return of said pusher to its retracted position; a first bleeder valve responsive to the positioning of a first article on said accumulator plate for venting one of said passages in said valve'housing causing said valve element to move to said firstposi-tion; and a second bleeder valve effective when said article has advanced a distance equal to the width of said rst article for venting the other of said passages in said valve housing for shifting said valve element to said second position.

2. In a case loading machine of `the type having an article accumulating plate, a conveyor for delivering articles in single file onto said plate and a pusher movable across the plate to engage articles thereon and push them across the plate, a control system comprising a double acting power cylinder connected to said pusher, means supplying air under pressure, conduit means connecting said air supply means to both ends of said power cylinder, a rst control valve connected in said conduit means and movable between a rst position communicating one end of said cylinder with said air supply means and venting the other end `ot? lthe cylinder to cause said pusher to be moved across said plate and a second position venting said one end and comunicating said air supply means with sa-id other end to effect return of said pusher to its initial position, first valve actuating means responsive to the position of a first article on said accumulator plate for shifting said first valve to said first position causing said pusher to be moved across said plate and advance said article thereacross, and second valve actuating means effective when said article has advancedl a distance equal tothe width of said first article for shifting said first valve to said second position to effect the return of lsaid pusher to its initial position thereby completing ari article accumulating cycle and permitting said conveyor to move an article onto said accumulator plate to actuate said first valve actuating means to initiate a second article accumulating cycle, and a second control valve connected between said rst valve actuating means and said rst control valve, said second valve being disposed, in the path of movement of articles on said plate to. be contacted and actuated thereby and being effective when actuated to prevent said first valve actua-ting means from shifting said first valve to said first position to cause actuation of said pusher.

3. in a case loading machine of the type having a continuously driven conveyor for advancing articles along a predetermined path, an accumulator plate disposed in position to receive the article from said conveyor and a pneumatically operated pusher normally disposed alongside said path in alignment with said plate and mounted for movement over said plate for pushing articleson said accumulator plate transversely of said path, the improvement which comprises a pneumatic control system for controlling the actuation of said pusher including pneunia-tic power means operably connected to said pusher, a first bleeder valve associated with said pneumatic power means and operable `upon being contacted by a first article being transferred from said conveyor onto said plate to activate said power means to move said pusher iu a direction to engage said first article and move it transversely `from said path, and ia second bleeder valve associated with said power means and operable upon movement of the article a distance equal to the width of the article for activating said power means to move said pusher in a direction to return the same to the normal position.

4. In a case loading machine of the type having a continuously driven conveyor for advancing articles along a predetermined path, an accumulator plate disposed in position to receive the article from said conveyor, a pneumatically operated pusher normally disposed alongside said path and in alignment with said plate Afor pushing p articles on said accumulator plate 4transversely of vsaid path,

and means for supplying pneumatic pressure to saidV pneumatically operated pusher, the improvement which comprises a pneumatic control sys-tem for controlling the actuation of said pusher comprising a first bleeder valve adjacent said plate'and opeiably associated with said pressure supplying means and operable upon being cont-acted by a first article being transferred from said conveyor onto said plate to activate said pressure supplying means causing said pusher to push said first article transversely from said path, a second bleeder valve associated with said pressure supplying means and `disposed adjacent the path of movement of said pusher to be actuated thereby when said pusher has moved a distance equal to the width of the ar-ticle to activate said pressure supplying means and cause said pusher to be returnedv to the normal position, and a third valve disposed in position to be contactedr and actuated by said first article after ia predetermined number of actuations of said first and second valves in response to positioning'of articles on said accumulator plate, said third valve being associated with said first bleeder valve and arranged to prevent thevactiv-ation of said pressure supplying means by said iirst bleeder valve when said first bleeder valve is contacted andoperatedr by an additional article being positioned on said accumulator plate whereby the accumulationY of articles-on said plate is completed when said third valveA is actuated by said first article.

5. In a case loading machine of the type having means for advancing articles along a predeterminedk path, means for receiving articles from said article advancing means and having a discharge end, a pneumatically operated pusher normally disposed alongside said path and in alignment with and ymovable/over said article receiving means to engage and push articles on said receiving means transversely of said path, and conduit meansl for supplying air under pressure to said pusher, the improvement which comprises a pneumatic controLsystemY for controlling the actuation of said pusherV comprising rst valve means actuated by a rst article advanced onto said receiving means and associated with said conduit means and arranged upon being actuated by thev first article to` direct air under pressure to said pusher to move said pusher in a direction to push the first article transversely from said path, second valve means in the path of movement of said pusher and positioned to be actuated by -said .pusherV when said pusher has moved a distance equal to the width of the article, said second pneumatic means being connected to said conduit means and arranged when actuated byv said pusher to direct air against said pusher in a direction to return said pusher to the normal position thereby completing a short stroke cycle of said pusher and allowing another article to enter said articley receiving means between said first article and said pusher and again actuate said first valve means whereby a second short stroke cycle is initiated, and a third valve connected to said conduit and disposed in the path of transverse movement of said articles in a position to be actuated by said first article at the cornpletion of the second short stroke cycle, said third valve being connected in said conduit means between said rst valve and said pusher and arranged upon being actuated by said first article to prevent subsequent actuation of said rst valve by an `article advancing onto saidreceiving means from causing air under pressure to be directed to said pusher to move said pusher in'an article advancing stroke.

y In a case loading machine of the type having an article accumulating plate, a conveyor for delivering articles in single le onto said plate and a pusher movable across the plate to engage articles thereon and push them across the plate, a control system comprising a rst double acting power cylinder connected to vsaid pusher, means supplying air under pressure, firstr air connecting said air supply means to both ends of said first power cylinder, a control valve connected in said frstconduit means and movable between a rst position communi.

eating one end of said cylinder with said air supply means and venting the other endV of the cylinder and a second position venting-'said one end communicatingv said air supply means withrsaid other end, means responsive to the positioning of a first article on said accumulator plate for shifting said valve to said first position causing said pusher to be moved across said plate and advance said article thereacross toward an article discharge station, means effective when said article has advanced a distance equal to the width of said first article for shifting said valve to said second position to effect the return of said pusher to initial position, a container supporting member pivotally mounted adjacent said discharge station, a second double acting power cylinder having a plunger connected to said container suporting member and movable between a first position holding said member in an elevated position and a second position holding said member in a lowered position, second air conduit means connecting said air supply means to said second cylinder, a bleeder valve disposed in said second conduit means between said air supply and said second cylinder and responsive to the positioning of said container support member in said elevated position for activating said second cylinder to cause said container support member to be locked in said elevated position, and valve means responsive jointly to the positioning of an article at said discharge station and the positioning of said container suport member in said elevated position for activating said first power cylinder to move said pusher entirely across said accumulator plate to push said article into a case on said case supporting member.

7. A case loading machine of the type having means for advancing articles along a predetermined path, means for receiving articles from said article advancing means and having an end portion providing a discharge station, a pneumatically operated pusher normally disposed alongside said path in alignment with said article receiving means and movable over said receiving means for pushing articles on said receiving means transversely of said path toward said discharge station, and means for supplying pneumatic pressure to said pusher, the improvement which comprises a pneumatic control system for controlling the actuation of said pusher comprising first pneumatic control means positioned to be engaged and activated by a first article on said receiving means for `activating said pressure supplying means for moving said pusher over said receiving means in a direction to push the first article transversely from said path, second pneumatic control means operable upon movement of the article a distance equal to the width of the article and yarranged to activate said pressure supplying means to return said pusher to the normal position thereby completing a short stroke cycle of said pusher and allowing another article to enter said article receiving means between said first article and said pusher to again engage and activate said first pneumatic vcontrol means thereby again actuating said pusher whereby said pusher moves through a second short stroke cycle, a pneumatic valve disposed in position to be activated `by said first article after said first article has been moved to a position adjacent the discharge end of said article-receiving means to thereby prevent actuation of said pusher -through a short stroke cycle upon the next activation of said first pneumatic control means, container supporting means disposed adjacent the discharge end of said article-receiving means for supporting a container in position to receive said articles from said support means, and pneumatic means activated in response to said next activation of said first pneumatic control means and in response to the presence of a container supported in loading position by said case supporting means to activate said pressure supplying means to move said pusher through a long stroke to said discharge station to push articles on said receiving means into the container.

8. A case loading machine of the type having means for advancing articles along a predetermined path, means for accumulating articles from said article advancing means and having an end portion providing a discharge station, pneumatically operated case supporting means disposed adjacent the discharge end of said article accumulating means and mounted for movement from a vertical case unloading position to a horizontal case supporting position, a pneumatically operated pusher normally positioned alongside said path in alignment with said article accumulating means and movable over said accumulating means for pushing articles on said accumulating means transversely of said path, and means for supplying pneumatic pressure to said pusher and to said case supporting means, the improvement which comprises a pneumatic control system for controlling the actuation of said pusher and said case supporting means comprising a rst bleeder valve disposed to be engaged and opened by a first article transferred from the article advancing means onto said accumulating means and arranged to activate said pressure supplying means to cause actuation of said pusher through the first half of a short stroke, a second bleeder valve disposed in the path of said pusher and arranged to lbe opened by said pusher after said first pusher has moved -across said accumulating means a distance equal to `the Width of an article to activate said pressure supplying means to cause movement of said pusher through the lsecond half of its short stroke to return said pusher to its normal position, said first and second bleeder valves being arranged to control the actuation of said pusher means through subsequent short strokes in response to the movement of other articles from said advancing means onto said accumulating means and through said predetermined distance, and a third bleeder valve operable in response to the prese-nce of a case in loading position and operable independently of the actuation of said pusher through short stroke cycles to activate said pressure supplying means for actuating said case supporting means to move said case supporting means from its vertical to its horizontal position in a position such that articles discharged from said accumulating means will be moved into a case.

9. A case loading machine of the type having means for advancing articles along a predetermined path, means for accumlating articles from said article advancing means and having a discharge end providing an article discharge station, a pneumatically operated pusher normally disposed alongside said path in alignment with said article accumulating means and mounted for movement over said accumulating means for pushing articles on said accumulating means transversely of said path, case supporting means pivotally mounted adjacent the discharge end of said accumulating means for supporting a case in a hori- Zontal loading position to receive articles moved olf said accumulating means and for pivotally lowering the case to a vertical position when loaded, and means for supplying pneumatic pressure to said pusher and to said case supporting means, the improvement which comprises apneumatic control system for controlling the actuation of said pusher and said case supporting means comprising a irst bleeder valve disposed to be engaged and opened by a first article transferred from the article advancing means onto said accumulating means and arranged to activate said pressure supplying means to cause actuation of said pusher through the first half of a short stroke, a second bleeder valve arranged to be opened by said pusher after said first article has been pushed a predetermined distance equal to its width across said accumulating means to activate said pressure supplying means and cause actuation of said pusher means through the second half of its short stroke to return said pusher to its normal position, said first and second bleeder valves being arranged to control the actuation of said pusher through other short stroke cycles in response to the movement of other articles from said advancing means onto said accumulating means and the movement of said other articles .through said predetermined distance, a valve disposed adjacent the discharge end of the accumulating means and arranged to be actuated by said first article as it is moved to a point adjacent said discharge end of said accumulating means whereby further actuation of said pusher through a short stroke is prevented upon the next opening of said first bleeder valve, a third bleeder valve opened in response to the presence ot a case in loading position to activate said pressure supplying means to cause movement of said case supporting means from a vertical to a horizontal position, a fourth bleeder valve opened in response to the presence of said case supporting means in the horizontal loading position to activate said pressure supplying means to control movement of said pusher through the first half of a long Stroke wherein the articles accumulated on said accumulator means are pushed into said case, and additional bleeder means operable by said pusher when all articles have been discharged into the case and arranged to activate said pressure supplying means to simultaneously cause the lowering of said case supporting means and the retraction of said pusher to return said pusher to said normal position and complete said long stroke cycle.

10. In a case loading machine of the type having a continuously driven conveyor for advancing articles along a predetermined path, an accumulator plate disposed in position to receive the article from said conveyor and a pneumatically operated pusher normally disposed alongside said path in alignment with said plate and mounted for movement over said plate for pushing articles on said accumulator plate transversely of said path, the improvement which comprises a pneumatic control system for controlling the actuation of said pusher including pneumatic power means operably connected to said pusher, a iirst valve associated with said pneumatic power means and operable upon being contacted by a rst article being transferred from said conveyor onto said plate to activate said power means to move said pusher in a direction to engage said iirst article and move it transversely from said path, and a second valve associated with said power means and operable upon movement of the article a distance equal to the width of the article for activating said power means to move said pusher in a direction to return the same to normal position.

References Citedv in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,613,021V Bowes Oct. 7, 1952 2,815,623 Holstebroe et al Dec. l0, 1957 2,941,339 Salwasser June 2l, 1960 2,947,125 Wilson et al. Aug. 2, 1960 

